Officials Mark Deadliest Day For Houston Fire Department

(HOUSTONCBS Houston) With four Houston firefighters dead after battling a five-alarm blaze Friday afternoon, officials marked Friday as the deadliest day for the Houston Fire Department.

Late Friday afternoon, CBS Radio Houston received confirmation from Mayor Annise Parker’s office that four firefighters died battling what became a five-alarm blaze at the Southwest Inn motel in the 6800 block of the Southwest Freeway.

The Houston Fire Department was dispatched to a building fire during the noon hour on Friday. With billowing smoke blowing smoke across the Southwest Freeway near Hillcroft and slowing traffic in both directions, HFD stated that four firefighters were transported to various hospitals and one firefighter was unaccounted for, about an hour after the fire broke out.